Archive: Sep 2009

As U.S. Army Maj. Jeff Price heads back to his post in Nigeria, he takes with him a better understanding of U.S. Army Africa and a network of fellow Army officers serving at U.S. Embassies on the continent.

When the command sergeant major of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command arrived in Uganda and met with the sergeants major from the Ugandan Peoples Defense Force, their main focus was making Natural Fire 10 a success.

<b>What is it' </b>
The National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of domestic violence, educate about the signs of abuse and emphasize the negative impact it has on family readiness. In support of the national observance, the Army will focus on awareness and prevention through the Army Domestic Abuse Prevention/Awareness campaign. The focus of this campaign is to: educate bystanders and prompt them to action in preventing domestic abuse, inform victims of domestic abuse that help is available and that offenders will be held accountable.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The 25th Infantry Division's (ID) highly distinguished role in shaping America's past and present will be featured for Soldiers and families during Living History Day, here, at the Tropic Lightning Museum, Oct. 3.

HONOLULU - Military families heading to the state's premier cultural showcase, the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, here, this weekend, are sure to witness two features that contribute to Hawaii's uniqueness - colorful flowers and lovely hula hands.

During a visit with wounded warriors in Germany, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. discussed challenges his Soldiers and their families have successfully faced in the last few years, and explained initiatives underway to help -- one of them scheduled to begin over the next month.

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Change is something that all Soldiers experience in the military, but rarely on the scale that occurred Sept. 22 at Fort Riley's Custer Hill Parade Field, as 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, was transformed into the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, facing a new mission.

The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command is increasing its presence at the 2009 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C., October 5 to 7.

It will take Soldiers telling about their successful treatment of post traumatic stress disorder to begin breaking down the stigma that prevents other troops from seeking care, said Brig. Gen. Colleen McGuire.

The third day at the 2009 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Va., included an Army Physical Fitness Test, written exam and essay, and an urban warfare orienteering course, conducted both in the day and nighttime.

Soldiers participate in reflexive fire training on Sept. 29 during the 2009 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition held Sept. 28 - Oct. 2 at Fort Lee, Va. Sgt. Jonathan Jordan, representing U.S. Army Medical Command, is pictured in front.

Spc. Shiloh Becher, the Army Reserve Soldier of the Year, listens to instructions during reflexive fire training the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Va. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.

The "Flag" Atrium was standing room only and the 2nd and 3rd floor overlook railings lined with U.S. Army Forces Command headquarters staff members as the FORSCOM G1 Base Realignment and Closure Team kicked off "RED Box Day" here with a Community Town Hall, Sept. 28, 2009.

Army leaders participating in the media roundtable will include Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, Director Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 and other Army leaders with recent combat experience.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers of the 15th Special Troops Battalion's rear detachment flag team, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) joined students, family members and faculty at Clarke Elementary School to observe Patriot Day and honor our nations heroes whom died in the terrorist attacks of 9/11 during a ceremony held in the school's cafeteria September 11.

Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling watches the unfurling of his new three-star command flag during a Sept. 29 promotion ceremony at Fort Monroe, Va. The Senate recently confirmed Lt. Gen. Hertling's new position as the Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training. In that capacity, he will oversee basic combat and technical skills training for all newly enlisted
Soldiers and military officers. The lieutenant general's past duty assignments include a stint as the Armor/Cavalry Branch Chief in Washington, D.C., and service in Iraq as the Assistant Division Commander-Support of the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad. Also pictured in the photo is Sgt. 1st Class Michael Manapace from the Office of the TRADOC Deputy Commanding General. (Photo by Patrick Buffett)

Everyone has heard stories about the recent outbreaks of Salmonella in a variety of foods, such as peanut butter, tomatoes, fresh jalapenos and pistachios, and Escherichia coli in leafy green vegetables, such as lettuce or spinach.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables contribute to a healthy diet, but outbreaks as those mentioned above raise significant alarm among consumers and public health officials concerned with consumer safety, the safety of the food chain from agri-terrorist threats, and the safety of produce procured from host nations, where pesticides are less prevalent and hygiene standards are not as stringent as in the United States.

The medical care provided in Army hospitals and clinics is regarded as among the best in the world. All entitled beneficiaries want to receive the care they have earned, and sometimes that means demand exceeds supply, especially when Army medics also must support an Army at war.

The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) will safely destroy 2,611 tons of mustard agent in mortar rounds and artillery projectiles stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot.
Neutralization followed by biotreatment is the technology selected by the Department of Defense to destroy the Pueblo chemical weapons stockpile.
The Program Manager, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA), headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland is responsible for managing all aspects of the safe and environmentally sound destruction of the chemical weapons stockpiles in both Colorado and Kentucky.
The Bechtel Pueblo Team, a partnership of Bechtel National, Inc.; Washington Demilitarization Company/URS; Parsons; and Battelle Memorial Institute, is the systems contractor selected to design, build, systemize, pilot test, operate and close PCAPP.

Thanks to the Ammunition Management Career Program's Grassroots Developmental Assignment, Army Materiel Command Logistics Management Specialist Michel Hamann now has more knowledge about CAAA. Hamann spent a couple of weeks at Crane Army Ammunition Activity seeing at the ground level what the workers do, giving him a better knowledge of what the activity's needs are in order to accomplish their mission.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Home-comings are a busy time. As groups of Army spouses ready themselves and their families for the return of more than 3,400 Soldiers, many are working to make redeployment a memorable time for the entire battalion family, including their single Soldiers.

<b>What is it' </b>
The Army Exhibit is a must-see, interactive, audio-visual experience featured as part of the AUSA annual meeting, Oct. 5 - 7, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C. The Army Exhibit portrays the Soldier - in particular, the noncommissioned officer (NCO) - as the centerpiece of the Army, the Strength of the Nation. By creating an emotional, interactive and educational multimedia experience, the Army Exhibit supports the Army's vision and strategic goals by informing and educating those who visit it, building trust and confidence in our Army and broadening understanding and advocacy for Soldiers, their families and the entire Army family including Army civilians, retirees and veterans.

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - The "Ask the Commander" program is designed as a communication tool to allow Soldiers, civilians and family members to get concerns addressed and questions answered by the garrison commander. All submitted questions go directly to the garrison commander; directorates and support staff research queries and provide responses to the commander.

Fifty U.S. Army and Marine Corps wounded warriors were honored for their military service, here, Sept. 18, when they got an exclusive Thunderbirds air show preview and the opportunity to meet a local hero.

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - Anyone who has seen an iPhone commercial has heard that there's an "app," or application, for just about anything - from choosing a restaurant to checking surf conditions.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - As personnel movements and redeployments of brigades accelerate, Army Hawaii Family Housing's (AHFH) property management and Actus Lend Lease's construction and renovation teams are working to capacity to prepare homes for Soldiers and their families.

When sand comes to mind, some people may think of beaches and tropical islands, but for procurement analyst, Catherine Olvera, she wonders if it's some she could add to her collection.
Born in Fort Hood, Texas, Olvera had a love of the ocean and dreamed of being a marine biologist. As a child, she paid little attention to sand and assumed it was the same all over the world. It wasn't until years that she developed a fascination with the gritty stuff.

Fort Benning is one step closer to a new hospital following today's award of a $333,359,000 contract by the Savannah District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The award was made to Turner Construction Company, Inc., of Huntsville, Ala., for the design and construction of a 745,000-square-foot hospital, almost twice the size of the current 393,000 square-foot facility.

On their way to Dover International Speedway for Sunday's AAA 400, NASCAR drivers made their annual pit stop at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Sept. 24, to thank troops and the families for their service and sacrifice for the nation.

The 2009 Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition continues at Fort Lee, Va., as the 24 competitors faced a board consisting of six command sergeants major and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, on Sept. 28. The next day, the warriors were issued their combat gear, received reflexive-fire instruction and engaged in media interviews.

With a theme of "One of the bravest acts ... is to ask for help when you need it," the Army is using National Depression Education and Awareness Month activities in October to combat a stigma associated with behavioral-health care and teach Soldiers and their Families how to recognize depression and get help for it.

U.S. Army South proudly joins the rest of the nation in honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the rich cultural heritage of our largest linguistic and ethnic minority in a month-long tribute to Hispanic contributions.

Paratroopers from Germany, Egypt, Pakistan and Kuwait arrived to Fort Bragg on 28 September 2009 for the beginning of Operation Bright Star. That evening, they were brought together with the U.S. troopers for a social event for everyone to be introduced. On 12 October, U.S. troopers will travel to Egypt for the second half of the operation.

Recently Staff Sgt. Ricky Baldwin, Multi-National Corps-Iraq Office of Staff Judge Advocate, decided to break up a weekly routine of power point classes and lectures for something with a bit more bite.

With Iraqi Security Forces taking the lead in accordance with the Security Agreement and the June 30 withdrawal from cities, mission accomplishment is in sight for U.S. forces here in Iraq, said the Multi-National Corps-Iraq commanding general.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. honored several children during the 'Salute to Children of Our Fallen' during the fourth annual 'Time of Remembrance' honoring America's fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq. The ceremony is sponsored by the White House Commission on Remembrance established by Congress. It was held at the west lawn of the U.S. Captiol, Sept. 26, 2009.

My shoes were shined, my greens had a razor crease in the trousers, and I believed I was looking pretty sharp as I reported to my battalion commander as a brand new second lieutenant. But my palms soon became sweaty after hearing what he had to say the first morning I arrived in Germany back in 1976.

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - In March of 2003, by command of President George W. Bush, U.S. Forces bombed what was then known as the Abu Ghraib Presidential Grounds. These grounds, constructed during Saddam Hussein's regime, served as a place of retreat for Hussein and his political allies.

After this most recent deployment, Hertling convened an after-action review conference in Garmisch, Germany, and invited Shanker to attend. During the conference, the two had an opportunity to continue their ongoing dialogue on military-media relations. Their conversation shows the relationship becoming increasingly complicated, as these two men from different professions debated the contentiousness-and the common ground that exists between the military and the media during this time of conflict and expansive news coverage.

The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families used Elmo and other beloved characters to help military children understand what it means when their moms and dads deploy and how to handle the changes that can come with such a major transition. The tour itself is part of Sesame Street's "Talk, Listen, Connect" initiative for military families.

FORT BENNING, GA - Fort Benning's Directorate of Information Management has become the Network Enterprise Center as part of a transformation move that shifts organizational control of all DOIMs from the garrison level to the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command and 9th Signal Command.